Oil-feeding device for gas generators



July 18, 1939. w. c. SLADE OIL FEEDING DEVICE FOR GAS GENERATORS Filed June 14, 1937 2Q Lu Patented July 18, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE OIL-FEEDING DEVICE FOR GAS GENERATORS Application June 14, 1937, Serial No. 148,167

3 Claims.

This invention relates to retorts or generators used in the production of heating or illuminating gas, and relates more particularly to improved devices for introducing oil and solid fuel into such generators.

One general object of my invention is to provide improved means for introducing oil in a gas generator at or near the center of a mass of burning fuel.

An important feature of the invention is the provision of heat-insulated oil-feeding means so constructed that an inner portion thereof may be readily removed or replaced.

My invention further relates to arrangements and combinations of parts which will be hereinafter described and more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

A preferred form of the invention is shown in the drawing, in which Fig. l is a sectional side elevation of a portion of a gas generator having my improved feeding devices associated therewith;

Fig. 2 is a detail plan view, looking in the direction of the arrow 2 in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional elevation of the upper portion of the oil feeding device; and

Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectional elevation of the lower portion of the oil feeding device.

In the following description and in the claims, reference to oil will be understood to include also oil vapor and gas.

Referring to the drawing, I have shown an upper portion of a gas generator 10 having a vertical central passage or stack I I, an outwardly flared upper fuel chamber 12 and a top cover plate I3 suitably secured in position. A side outlet M is also shown, through which gases generated in the stack may be removed.

In the operation of this generator, the stack H is filled with coal or coke which is heated to a relatively high temperature. This coal or coke is introduced through the cover plate l3, and oil is also introduced at a point near the center of the mass of highly heated fuel.

The means for feeding the solid fuel, as coal or coke, comprises a casing mounted at one side of the cover plate 13 and having a cover 22 pivoted at 23 and normally locked in position by a clamping device 24. The lower end of the casing 20 is closed by a conical member 25, connected by a link 26 to an arm 2'! on a rock shaft 28. A second arm 3!] on the rock shaft is provided with a weight W sufficient to overcome the weight of the member and to hold it normally in raised position.

When fuel is to be fed to the gas generator, the cover 22 is moved to one side, the casing 20 is filled with fuel, the cover 22 is returned and clamped in closed position, and the member 25 is then lowered to release the fuel charge. Fuel may thus be introduced into the generator without escape of gas, even if the gas is at a pressure above atmospheric. By mounting the casing 20 at one side of the cover plate, fuel may be conveniently fed to the generator without interfering with the central oil feed.

The oil feeding device comprises an inner pipe and a second or outer pipe 4| within which the pipe 49 is loosely enclosed. Any suitable provision is made for supplying oil under pressure to the upper end of the pipe 40, and the oil is forced out into the center of the mass of highly heated fuel at the lower end of the pipe 40 as indicated by the arrows in Fig. 1.

Special provision is made for heat-insulating the pipe 4 i As shown in the drawing. a sleeve 44 of heat-resistant and preferably vitreous material is mounted on that portion of the pipe 4! which is exposed to the burning fuel and is retained in position thereon by a collar 45 threaded on the lower end of the pipe 4!.

The upper end of the sleeve 44 is preferably somewhat reduced in diameter and fits snugly into the lower end of a large pipe 41, spaced substantially outward from the second pipe 4|. The space between the pipes 41 and 4'! and above the upper end of the sleeve 44 is filled with heatinsulating material 48, such as asbestos, and the upper ends of the pipes 4| and 41 are secured to a head 55, as clearly shown in Fig. 3.

The inner pipe 49 extends through a packing 5i and gland 52 mounted in the head 50, and is provided with a collar 53 and set-screw 54 by which the vertical position of the pipe 4!] may be determined. The large pipe 41 extends upward through a flange plate 55 (Fig. 1) bolted to the cover plate I3 and is secured in said plate 55 by a packing 56, packing gland 51 and collar 58.

With this construction it will be clear that the pipes 40 and 4! are effectively protected from the intense heat of the burning fuel, and it will also be evident that the inner pipe 49 may be readily removed from the enclosing structure by loosening the gland 52 and packing 5! and may be as readily replaced without the necessity of removing the pipe 4| or parts associated therewith from the generator.

This removable construction is particularly desirable, as the lower end of the pipe 40, being directly exposed to high heat, may become partially closed, due to deposit of carbon or coke therein. When this occurs, the pipe may be quickly removed and a clear pipe substituted therefor without interrupting the continued operation of the generator, whereas the removal and replacement of the entire oil feeding structure would necessitate a substantial interruption of gas production.

Should occasion arise, the entire feeding device can be removed by loosening the packing gland 51.

The vertical position of the point of delivery of oil to the burning fuel may be varied by raising or lowering the entire feeding device, which is held in adjusted position by the collar 58.

Having thus described my invention and the advantages thereof, I do not wish to be limited to the details herein disclosed, otherwise than as set forth in the claims, but what I claim is:

1. In a gas generator having a stack with a vertical central passage forming a gas generating retort and having means to feed solid fuel to the upper end of said passage, that improvement in an oil feeding device for said gas generator which comprises an inner oil-conducting pipe, an outer metal pipe loosely enclosing said inner pipe, means to secure said pipes in said generator, a sleeve of heat-insulating material of substantial thickness enclosing the lower portion of said outer pipe, a heat-insulating covering for the upper portion of said outer pipe, and means to hold said sleeve and covering in position on said outer pipe.

2. In a gas generator having a stack with a vertical central passage forming a gas generating retort and having means to feed solid fuel to the upper end of said passage, that improvement in an oil feeding device for said gas generator which comprises an inner oil-conducting pipe, an outer metal pipe loosely enclosing said inner pipe, means to secure said inner pipe in vertically adjusted position within said outer pipe, means to secure said outer pipe in vertically adjusted position in said generator, a sleeve of heat-insulating material of substantial thickness encasing the lower portion of said outer pipe, an additional pipe spaced from the upper portion of said outer pipe, heat-insulating material interposed between said additional pipe and said outer pipe, and means to secure said additional pipe in assembled relation with said outer pipe.

3. In a gas generator having a stack with a vertical central passage forming a gas generating retort and having means to feed solid fuel to the upper end of said passage, that improvement in an oil feeding device for said gas generator which comprises an inner oil-conducting pipe, an outer metal pipe loosely enclosing said inner pipe, means to secure said pipes in vertically adjusted position in said generator and also relative to each other, and a sleeve of heat-insulating material of substantial thickness mounted on said outer metal pipe and protecting said two pipes from the heat of said furnace.

WALTER C. SLADE. 

